retiredprof.com
  • Home
  • Videos

Fridays at Trainline Bridge....Miss Phoebe, Port Mourant.

12/21/2009

9 Comments

 
     The holidays loom and memories come flooding, especially after conversations that I have had over the past week with friends, livelong friends with whom I spent many Friday nights, telling jokes, playing games and singing songs, using our bicycle gear-case as our drums. Some of these friends are no longer with us and it is in homage to them that I recount those heady days.
    We were young teachers, in our late teens. The world held no fears for us and we look forward to each and every day, working and playing, especially playing. Chando Narine, Leslie Etwaroo, William Rawana and Edmund Carpen are among those who are no longer with us and I want to put on record that they were all loyal and trusting and contributed greatly to our pleasures. William loved to sing of his "Bonita", Carps mooned over his unrequited love who lived across the road, hoping to get a glimpse of her, Leslie quoted Shakespeare and Chando stood guard against any interlopers. James Permaul, talked of his Eva and quoted from  the Bible, Chunilall Ramkisoon sang songs of Mahendra, Julip Singh stood by with a smile on his face, Rhidas Sanichar told "dirty" jokes and Prema Sukra and Raymond Mohabir made sure that "spirits" flow. I stroked the gearcase, and joined the sing-a long lustily......songs of Jim Reeves, Bobby Darrin, Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Sarah Vaughn, Patsy Kline, Richie Valens, Ravi, Lata, Mukesh and Mahendra, we knew them all and belted them out with vigour if not rhythm.
     In a way, this was our rebellion from the cultural strictures that we had to live with. It was usually dark on these Friday nights and we were "well oiled" with "joie de vivre" and daring. The spot was ideally suited, away from residences (but not too far) and mid-way from where we lived, between Rose Hall and Tain. Some nights, perhaps because we were "soused", we would insist on taking/seeing each other home, and so we would be going back and forth, until exhaustion or giddiness took over and then we would literally crawl home, where parents would be waiting, a hurdle that was at times daunting, but which on most occasion, we successfully negotiated.
      The next morning was a real test. Parents were waiing for any tell-tale signs of discomfort...eating was particularly testing, but a quick swim in the nearby trench, with its cool water, was the best cure, at least for me.
      That bridge ( it was sturdily bulit to take the weight of heavy trucks and is still standing today), was built by the sugar company that owned the Port Mourant sugar estate and served as a meeting place for the sugar workers, who would gather there each morning, to get their orders from the "white" overseers. It fronted the garage where the train engines were housed and where the trains were loaded to take the cane cutters and other workers to the sugar fields that were miles away. It was a very efficient ststem and each morning we would stand in awe as we looked at the sun shining on the dozens of cutlasses and their honed edges, with some workers hanging on the side of the train as it sped on its way. It was a wonder that they did not fall off and/or were not cut by the many very sharpened cutlasses, inches from their faces. Sometimes on the weekend when the trains were not filled, we would jump on and go fishing or hunting. It was fun while it lasted, but that would not be for long, because in order to punish the workers for supporting the political party (PPP), that was leading the fight for Guyana's indepence from Britain ( the leader of the party Dr. Cheddi Jagan, was from there),  the British owners decided to close the Port Mourant sugar factory and reduce its activities. Gradually the trains stopped running and the reduced work force was trucked to the fields.
      It was the end of an era, but we made use of the bridge, which will always
hold a special place in our collective memories.
      Thanks guys, it was fun and the memories are even better.
           
      P.S. I have some other memories of that bridge which I shall write about later but for now the thoughts are too much. Should any of you out there have any stories to tell of the bridge, please share.....I.P.
9 Comments
Jerry Mohabir
2/5/2010 04:46:22 am

I enjoyed reading your story of a time gone. I was born not far from Train-Line. I always wanted to know why the dam was called so. I was there not too long and went to bath and found so many strange colour rock and could't understand where they was so many rocks there. Well now it makes sense, the rocks was supporting the train rails. I may have some pictures. I will post then and send you the link.
Take care.
Sita Ram
Jerry
NYC

Reply
Seeta Karim
8/23/2011 08:40:11 am

I had fun reading your stories. I was living next door across the street from you. It was very nice to see your parents pictures.
Take Care
Seeta

Reply
Ishwar Prashad link
8/24/2011 01:14:02 am

As I get older many memories of my youth come flooding and I wanted to share with friebds and family. Maybe you can share also. Thanks

Reply
Alfred C Butters
12/9/2012 05:18:10 pm

I enjoyed reading of a time which shared with many friends in a place that lives in your heart and mind. I too have indelible memories of my country of birth and like you most of my friends have past on and the few that remain are scattered around the globe. My time was late fifty and all of the sixties. and studying for the GCE london was our main focus. All 6 of my friends died on the way to skeldon on the east coast road some where between Mahaica and Mahaicony in a car accompanying the bride and groom Not a day goes by that I don't remember them.

Reply
Ishwar Prashad link
5/14/2014 08:49:06 pm

Sorry for your losses. Friends are like flowers in a garden and when they are gone, it leaves us a colorless world. Sorry for the late reply

Reply
вакансии на кмз зенит link
5/14/2014 02:15:15 pm

I would like to show my thanks to you just for bailing me out of this difficulty. Appropriate right after researching via the world wide internet and seeing strategies which are not valuable, I figured my entire life was gone. Existing minus the approaches towards the issues you’ve fixed by way of your main guideline can be a crucial case, and ones that would have in a negative way damaged my entire career if I hadn’t discovered your website. Your primary ability and kindness in playing with all issues was precious. I'm not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t come across such a answer like this. I’m able to at this moment look forward to my future. Thanks for your time extremely much for this impressive and result oriented guide. I won’t be reluctant to refer the sites to any person who should receive direction on this issue.

Reply
Ishwar Prashad link
5/14/2014 08:51:16 pm

Glad to be of assistance. Perk up man. There is a large, confusing but beautiful world out there to enjoy

Reply
Kaspar Coward
8/27/2015 11:35:57 am

Very interesting reading. When was the Port Mourant sugar factory closed down.
Andrews Sugar factory in Barbados, is being dismantled to make way for a "new super factory." The present Andrew's mill came from the then BG in 1956. I am trying to trace the history of this mill. In 1956 when it came to Barbados it was encased in thick hard mud, as if it was abandoned for a couple of years.
Appreciate any help you may offer
Thank You

Reply
Ishwar Prashad link
8/28/2015 01:53:15 am

Port Mourant factory was closed around 1956-57. It was to punish the people who were strong supporters of Dr. Cheddi Jagan and leader of the PPP. However the land and building were bought and converted to a high school ....Corentyne Comprehensive High School, ( of which, I was the founding principal), still is going strong.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Follow me on Twitter

    ​
    Picture
    fig 2-b My Father and Mother to whom I owe everything

    "Ecce Homo"  ("Behold the Man"), Antonio Ciseri's depiction of Pontius Pilate presenting a scourged Jesus to the people of Jerusalem.

    fig 1-b


    figure 1-a

    F. Goya
    Two men fighting with clubs
    circa 1819-1823

    The Black Paintings Period


    (Fig 2a) The Death of Innocents


    Author

     Ishwar R. Prashad recently retired from over 47 years of teaching.

    He taught Political Science variously at Dawson College, Loyola College, Algoma University College, Sir George Williams University, Concordia University and Vanier College.

    Previously, he taught for nine years in Port Mourant, Guyana.


    He became Principal of Corentyne Comprehensive High School at the tender age of 21. During this time he turned down Scholarship offers to study overseas in England and the U.S.S.R.

    He chose Canada and after graduating from Sir George Williams with a B.A Honours with Distinction, he accepted a Fellowship to complete his graduate work at McMaster University. He completed his first two degrees-Bachelors and Masters- in three years.  

    His last position was as Co-Ordinator of Political Science and Economics at Vanier College and Adjunct Professor of Political Science at Concordia University.

    He is married to the former Juliet Ramcharan (Library Supervisor, McGill University) and together they have three children – Indra R. Prashad, P.Eng. ,McGill (Presently Manager, Ontario Safe Water Drinking Agency), Ishwar R. Prashad Jr., B.A ,McGill (Presently, President, Kismit Gear Inc.) and Rabindra Y. Prashad, (Presently, Artist and Chef).They are the proud Grandparents of eight grandchildren-Miranda, Kamal, Ayesha, Élan, Anĵa , Étienne, Chloé, and Jasmine.

     

     

     





     



    Archives

    July 2020
    May 2020
    October 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009
    January 2009
    December 2008
    November 2008
    October 2008
    September 2008
    August 2008
    July 2008
    June 2008
    November 1999

    Categories

    All
    A
    Estryed Infrastructure
    F
    Hai
    Ic
    I Will Srike With
    Jr
    O
    Q
    T

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.